Three held in Kerala for links with IS

Three held in Kerala for links with IS

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 26, 2017: Three youths from Kannur district, who are believed to have joined the Islamic State (IS) and went to Turkey in a bid to enter Syria, were arrested here on Wednesday after four months of surveillance.

The youths were arrested by the Valapattanam police after they were questioned by Kannur Deputy Superintendent of Police P.P. Sadanandan and others at the police station.

Those arrested have been identified as Midilaj K.C., 26, and Rashid M.P., 23, both natives of Munderi under the Chakkarakkal police station limits, and Abdul Razakh K., 24, of Chekkikkulam under the Mayyil police station limits. They were put under surveillance after they were deported from Turkey four months ago.

The three had stayed in Turkey for three to four months. They had been captured while trying to cross the border to enter Syria. The Valapattanam police registered a case against them on charges of joining a banned outfit under Sections 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

More arrests

Hinting that more arrests would be made in the coming days, Mr. Sadanandan said those who had gone to Syria and Afghanistan to join the IS saw themselves as participants in ‘hijra’ (migration) and members of Islamic fighters for ‘ghazwe hind’ (conquest of India). The latest case relates to those who returned to the country after joining the IS, he said adding that the police were probing cases of IS fighters from the region who had been killed in Syria and Afghanistan and those who were still fighting in those countries.

Three months ago, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested another IS operative from Kannur, identified as Shajahan Valluva Kandy of Koodali, at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, on his deportation by the Turkish authorities.

He had also been captured on the Turkey-Syria border on his way to carry out alleged terrorist activities.

Kannur youths Shahanad (25) of Chalad, Rishal (30) of Valapattanam, Shameer (45) of Pappinissery and his son Safwan (20), and Shajil (30) of Koodali were among those who were reportedly killed in Syrian and Afghanistan.

In the neighbouring Kasaragod, five of the 21 persons from Padanna who had gone to Afghanistan had been confirmed dead, the police said adding that two youths from neighbouring Vadakara in Kozhikode district were also reportedly dead.

The police also identified Manaf and Shameer of Valapattanam and Abdul Qayyoom of Mayyil as IS fighters still fighting in Syria.

Meanwhile NIA sources said in Kochi that the agency would take over the case, as the arrested were wanted in connection with a case in New Delhi.

“We already have a case in New Delhi in which all these youths are suspects,’’ NIA sources said.